ASUU Warns Nigerians: Federal Government Failing University Staff, Nothing Done

The President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Chris Piwuna, has accused the Federal Government of failing to implement agreements reached with the union despite numerous rounds of negotiations.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking to Daily Trust on Wednesday, Piwuna emphasized that ASUU has always prioritized dialogue but lamented that none of the agreed-upon items have been enforced.

“We have always made ourselves available to the government. Whenever they call, we travel from Calabar, Port Harcourt, Jos, and other cities to meet in Abuja. Dialogue has always been our first option,” he said.

However, he noted, “Not a single part of the agreement has been implemented. We agreed on funding, conditions of service, academic freedom, university autonomy, and the review of certain laws. All that remains is for the government to act.”

According to Piwuna, while collective bargaining with government officials has produced mutually accepted documents, the process remains stalled.

“There is no disagreement between us and the government team on any of these items. The bottleneck is their need to present the agreements to their principals—the Ministry of Education and the Federal Government—for approval. That is where we are stuck,” he explained.

Exodus of Academics and Medical Professionals

Piwuna linked the ongoing departure of academics and healthcare professionals to poor pay and unfavorable working conditions.

“At Jos University Teaching Hospital, at least 20 consultants have left in the last two years. As a head of department, I regularly sign reference letters for doctors relocating abroad,” he said.

The trend, he added, is similar among university lecturers, many of whom are now employed by institutions in other African countries. “In Uganda, for instance, there are at least 20 Nigerian lecturers in some universities,” he revealed.

He also highlighted the dilapidated state of infrastructure in public universities, stressing that Nigerian institutions lag behind globally. “Out of 333 universities in Nigeria, fewer than five rank among Africa’s top 1,000. Pay is low, facilities are outdated, and working conditions are poor. Female lecturers, for example, often prefer going home rather than using on-campus restrooms,” he said.

Strike: A Last Resort

Piwuna reiterated that ASUU does not desire strikes but is forced into them by government inaction.

“Lecturers do not enjoy striking. Our students are like our children, and our families are part of the system. But unless the government addresses these issues, instability will persist,” he warned.

He urged Nigerians to support reforms in the education sector, emphasizing that ASUU’s struggle is for the national interest.

“This fight is not just about ASUU—it’s about building a better system for our future and our country,” he said, appealing to the media, traditional leaders, religious figures, parents, and civil society to advocate for meaningful change.